Anik F3 is situated at 118.7W or 118.8 or often referred to as 118. Point to Echo 7 (119W) and you are already pointed to Anik F3 at 118.8 Signals of Anik F3 are weaker, therefore you need a larger Dish -- 33" is very good, 30" often works -- and 24" works in certain areas, usually with Dishpro Plus LNBs.
You always need a special LNB. People often talk about their expensive LNB which cost over $100. Generally speaking you can't use that LNB. Special LNB has a frequency of 9750 to 10750, because the TP frequencies you are scanning start at 11715. So it is still a Circular LNB but set to a lower frequency. Hence the expensive circular LNBs will not work, and the linear LNBs can only work after modifications which are beyond a novice's expertise.
The special generic LNB costs only about $15-$20. The special LNB comes as single output for one receiver or two outputs for two receivers. A single output LNB WILL work with one FTA receiver, or through a DisEqC switch with other LNBs and one receiver. The price difference between the two is trivial ($5) and you are encouraged to buy the dual variety. So in a special LNB -- only one output is connected to a DisEqC switch, and that will give you both 118 and 119. You can usually add an arm on the mount to add 110W separately. These LNBs work well with FTA receivers, but may not work well with Dishnet supplied receivers. Of the generic ones, there are 3-4 models available. Some scan better using LNB frequency of 9750-10750 (Universal). Some are better off with a LNB Frequency setting of 10600, and some are better using a LNB Frequency setting of 10750. Try different settings before you ask questions.
The DPP special LNB comes with two outputs -- one is for 119W and the other is for 118.8W. These two outputs go to two input ports of DP34 or DP44 switch. Preferably use DP44 switch. DPP installation is either DPP 500 with a LNB for 118/119 and another for 110W. The DPP1000 has additional LNB for 129W. These LNBs will work well with Dishnet supplied receivers but you may have difficulties with FTA receivers. Changing from Dishpro to Dishpro Plus usually costs $120, but prices vary. On a DPP1000 they are sequenced as 129 118.7 119 110; on a DPP500 they are 118.7 119 110 -- looking at the eyes of the LNBs.
Hardware/software connection. For generic type always use a DisEqC switch if you are going to add 110W or 61.5W. Use Port 1 input of the DisEqC. This will give you both 118 and 119. In your setup, if you have a separate slate for Anik F3 (118), use that slate and set it up. If not, use ANY other slate -- I often suggest Anik F2 purely for name similarity. Don't worry about the name or the angle mentioned there. You will scan what the LNB is pointing to -- which is 118. If you are stealing another slate you will have to manually put in the TPs using the list at http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/dish119.html. Note that in this list you need the TPs up to TP30 - 12155 (H). The Echo 7 (119W) section start at that point from TP1 -- 12224 (V). Do not add those TPs, even if you are going to use Universal setting with LNB freq of 9750-10750. Scanning should be "Scan all" type. If you want to you can use Blind Scan avoiding entering all those TPs. A blind scan with universal setting, may bring in all or part of the 119 section and sometimes with different and unexpected TP frequencies.
Scan Echo 7 (119W) in the normal way in its own slate.
I hope this is helpful to some so that you can get going without having to ask questions.
great info nalin. special lnb for 118 you mention above works great with all dish orignal recrs but only to get 118. Can't get119 with it.A separate lnb require for 119 or 110 and sw21 for dish recrs.
The special LNBs I have worked with will always get some 119 nicely if used with LNB frequency of 11250. Also one model I used got me over 600 channels using universal 2 (9750-10750) and Blind scan. all the regualr 119 channels were there but had differnt TP Frequencies against them.
Your article "Facts about Anik F3 at118.8W" is great and that has moved me once again to try n3 generation. Please bear me if you find I am looking for basics N3 info.
I have an old N2 FTA setup still hooked up. Like a fta receiver CAPTAIN 7100 USB. Connected with 2 dishes,DisEqC switch used to watch ECHO-3 61.5W and ECHO-7 119.0W Is some of this hardware still can be used for FTA n2/n3
In your article you have mentioned that you were able to get over 600 channels that is remarkable. What hardware upgrade you will suggest so that I can get most of these channels using N3, like on Anik F3118.8/119W,110w,129w and 61.5w
I will much appreciate for your help and provoiding me a list of hardware other than 33" dish. Should not be expensive one. By the way I live in Brampton. Thanks Sharif
There is no N3 yet. People are using IKS which is available on about 8 different models. This support is from hobby groups. For your receiver, the Coolsat enthusiast promised support about 3-4 months ago, but so far they are only supporting some Coolsat models. You need to buy a hub for almost all models except CNX nano 2. The hub costs about $70-100. You will have to buy a receiver. Currently, only CNX, Satzen, I-link and Dreambox and Limesat are said to be working. Of these Limesat gives maximum channels. Being able to scan certain channels and being able to view are two differnt things, because after scanning, your receiver should be able to obtain contact with the server for your receiver and get their keys. Which means that you have to have an proper internet connection on all the time you are viewing. Unlike N2 days, the IKS service is up and down all the time. One day one receiver is reported working, the next day it is down and another is working. Also some days more channels are working and other days less. To buy a receiver, you are looking at $160 to $250 and about $500 for a HD model (not needed if you mainly want the internationals on 118.8W)
I will repeat once more, that the IKS service is precarious and prone to many interruptions. Even on this forum I would say that there are 50% dissatisfied people. And that is nothing to do with being able to scan the sats - they all can scan the sats, but can't see peicture half the time.
Your suggestion are appreciated. I have a good internet service available all the time. Please let me know more about IKS service. What it mean and how to get it. Is it a software/what ? Does it require some payment to get it.
Sharif: In my post above yours, I gave details of the costs involved and the risk of losing money. There is no monthly payment, once you buy the equipment. The equipment I suggested is for today - the sutuation can change dramatically overnight.
